All leading political parties have backed a call for a fresh approach to ending poverty in Scotland
A leading coalition of charities has called for a new anti-poverty strategy as part of 17 priorities for tackling poverty to mark the Scottish Parliament’s 17th anniversary.
The Scottish Anti Poverty Review, published by the Poverty Alliance, states that previous strategies have not been as successful as hoped for, but new powers for Scotland mean the time is right to re-consider the nation's approach.
The review is developed alongside Poverty Alliance members, including people with direct experience of poverty, and contains articles from Scotland’s five main political party leaders setting out their views on how best to tackle poverty in Scotland.
The document contains 17 asking, including a commitment to using new powers to top up child benefit in a bid to reduce the number of children living in poverty
We are concerned about how we use these new powers, alongside existing powers, to create a more socially just Scotland - Pter Kelly
Priorities around work include a family-friendly working commitment being added to the Scottish Business Pledge, the exclusion of those who practice tax evasion from public contracts, and further promotion of the Living Wage.
And ensuring better results for people experiencing poverty is at the heart of the manifesto.
Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance said: “We’ve had 17 years of the Scottish Parliament, and poverty remains deeply ingrained. Today we are presenting 17 demands that we believe will lay basis for a fairer Scotland.
“It was clear following the independence referendum that there was a widespread desire for more powers to the Scottish Parliament. While the package being devolved may not be as exhaustive as many would have liked, they are still significant and it is vital that new powers are used.
“As an organisation primarily interested in tackling poverty, the Poverty Alliance is principally concerned about how we use these new powers, alongside existing powers, to create a more socially just Scotland.”
Writing in the manifesto, Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the SNP, wrote: “My vision is of a prosperous, productive, high-wage country where everyone gets the chance to fulfil their potential – regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or economic background. I want a fair and equal society where absolutely no-one is left behind.”
Patrick Harvie, co-convenor of the Scottish Greens, said the next Scottish Parliament must be determined to act with the powers already devolved and those which may become available during the next few years.
“I believe that if we show the political will and the creativity which are needed, we can make far greater progress,” he said.
“Simply knowing who to blame for austerity just isn't good enough; we must use the powers of the Scottish Parliament to overcome it”.
Leader of the Scottish Labour Party, Kezia Dugdale, said the reality is that far too many people in Scotland live with the experience of poverty now.
She added: “That means that while we seek to build the future we also need to respond to the immediate challenges people face.”
A society is stronger if it is fairer, Willie Rennie, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, wrote.
“Evidence from around the world shows that the economy benefits from a society where every person has the opportunity to get on in life and where extremes of wealth and power are being reduced,” he said.
“This should be a country in which everyone can access good public services and have the chance to get up and get on.”
And leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, Ruth Davidson, said tackling poverty is not a left or a right wing issue. It is one that all politicians must tackle.
“Let’s be entirely frank about this, it is wrong for us to accept a country where it is better for your life chances to be rich and thick, rather than poor and clever,” she said.
